Life-changing legislation signed into law by Governor Cuomo in August 2016 [took effect on] February 14, 2017, potentially impacting thousands. The bill, A.4990B-Ortiz/S.5313A-Hannon, allows sixteen and seventeen-year-olds to express their intent to be organ, eye, and tissue donors by enrolling in the New York State Donate Life Registry. With this law, New York joins 48 other registries, including Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, where there is either no age restriction to join the donor registry, or the minimum age is younger than eighteen.

The donor designation section on New York State DMV application forms.

The donor designation section is available as well on the learner’s permit and driver’s license application forms that can be downloaded from the New York State’s DMV website. Those wishing to enroll can also visit The Eye-Bank’s website, www.eyedonation.org, and sign up by clicking on the “Become a Donor” button to download a form.

This law helps to remove barriers for young people who wish to indicate their desire to be a registered donor, potentially making a difference for any number of the 10,000 New Yorkers who are waiting for life-saving organ and tissue transplants.